Northern California Burns' Night -For those Wishing to Attend

**Panache** · 28th November 07, 02:05 PM

For all those interested in joining us for Burns' Night here in Northern California

The X Marks the Scot Nor Cal Rabble Burns’ Night Supper will be January 26, 2008 (the last Saturday of January and the day after Robert Burn's birthday) and held in the Scott’s Valley CA, just next to Santa Cruz.

We have finalized arrangements to secure a bigger and nicer facility than the one we had last year.

Here are pictures way2fractious took of the Hall

http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...t%2008%20Prep/

Last year’s dinner was a potluck with all the traditional Scottish foods (including haggis), a whisky tasting, a piper, live music for dancing (including a SCD!), "Address to the Lasses", "The Lasses' Response", “The Immortal Memory”, and of course the poetry of Robert Burns . For those who missed it, here is a thread with pictures from last year:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=23902

The facility is within a retirement community and there are residents who have expressed great interest in joining the celebration. We need to know how many X Markers are in in order to figure out how many people we would like to have attend. The fee for last years Burns' Night was pretty nominal ($20-25).

Our plan this year is to begin around 4:00-5:00 for pictures and scotch tasting. Then we will proceed to the dinner and all the wonderful festivities.

The dress code is formal or dressy (gentlemen should wear a tie)

We are planning on having a children's table, so kids are welcome.

We are looking into nearby hotels (there are a couple) to see if we can get a good rate. There is talk of a Sunday breakfast and a leisurely stroll in the very close Henry Cowell state park (weather permitting)

To make this work we need to know:

Who (and how many) are planning to attend?

What can you bring?

Would you like to recite something?

**Panache** · 28th November 07, 02:12 PM

The Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess, young Sinbad and Xena, and yours truly will be attending (2 adults +2 children).

We will take care of the cost of the Hall

We will teach one Scottish Country Dance for those plucky souls willing to try

The F-H.C.A.G. promises an appropriate Burns' Poem to start the Scotch tasting.

I can do "Address of the Haggis" (if someone else is game to try their hand at this you are most welcome to do so)

The F-H.C.A.G. and I are willing to do our version of "Toast to the Lassies" and "The Lassies response"

We will bring one bottle of single malt

We will bring smoked salmon

Cheers

Jamie

**Alan H** · 28th November 07, 02:28 PM

I will be attending, and it's reasonably likely that the Luminous Joan will also, but more to come on that, later.

Kathy and husband, Lisa and husband (the band) will be attending (4 adults)
I will pay the band
I will cook and bring the haggis

By request of my spouse I will be bowing out of other responsibilities.

**MacKellar** · 1st December 07, 05:59 PM

Greetings and halucinations! Myself and Debra will both be there. We plan on bringing at least two bottles of whiskey (including what's left of "everyone's favorite" from last year (hey, I liked it) and *maybe* a dish... like colcannon (yeah, it's Irish... ) or a gratin. Food Network can be a dangerous thing... anywho I am sure I can figure it out by December Beer Friday.

**Monkey@Arms** · 4th December 07, 12:48 PM

I'm in for sure, and it looks like Cynthia and the two clever little monkeys are good-to-go, too.

We'll sign-up for side dishes and bring Whisky, Hard Apple Cider and kid's drinks.

Happy to recite something shorter than Tam O' Shanter.

Best regards,

Jake

**Rigged** · 4th December 07, 01:41 PM

Dangit!! I'm bringing a model down from Michigan for a photo shoot that weekend.

**The F-H.C.A.G.** · 5th December 07, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Rigged

Dangit!! I'm bringing a model down from Michigan for a photo shoot that weekend.

What better setting for a photo shoot than with a bunch of kilted men in the redwoods!?

Be well,

**way2fractious** · 6th December 07, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by The F-H.C.A.G.

What better setting for a photo shoot than with a bunch of kilted men in the redwoods!?

Bless you, F-H.B-T.C.A.G., for looking out for kilted men everywhere...

. . . Back to the guest list . . .

I will be there with a wonderful lady (from Clan MacLaren, wouldn't you know?) who accepted my offer to escort her for the evening. If her toes survive any of my so-called dancing, perhaps she will join in the redwood ramble the following day, as well.

Any readings are fine with me. Oration from notes, O.K. But any assignments requiring functioning memory brain circuits will be disappointed.

Would a delicious "limey" dessert be in order? (Helps prevent scurvy, eh?)

w2f (not a scurvy knave, yet)

**Panache** · 12th December 07, 03:42 PM

Hotel Accommodations in Scotts Valley for the evening of January 26

The Hilton

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hote...ornia/index.do

Rooms are between $250 - $400+ a night

Best Western

http://www.bestwesterncalifornia.com...scotts-valley/

1 King bed $109 ($98 with AARP or AAA discount)
2 Queen beds $ 119 ($107 with AARP or AAA discount)

**Panache** · 12th December 07, 03:46 PM

Gryphonaire looks like he will be doing the Selkirk Grace

w2f, would you be willing to come up with The Immortal Memory ? (notes are certainly OK!)

Jake, would you like either Address of the Haggis or Toast to the Lassies? Whichever one you pick I will be happy to do the other.

Any takers for the Lassies Response? The F-H.C.A.G. is certainly happy to do it again but would be equally fine with letting someone else have the fun (plus she has a pretty challenging poem to open the Scotch tasting with)

Cheers

Jamie